Dangerous driver avoids jail

A SUNSHINE Coast 19-year-old looked relieved when a suspended jail term meant he could return to working on a Northern Territory station, six hours travelling from Mount Isa.

Benjamin Richard Pawelski cannot commit a crime in the next 18 months or he risks activating the six-month prison sentence he received in Maroochydore District Court yesterday.

Mr Pawelski pleaded guilty to dangerously operating his motor vehicle in April this year and to three counts of break, enter and stealing, including a television and VCR from a Warwick school in June last year.

His defence barrister said the dangerous driving occurred when his client hit a car on his way to a job interview.

The barrister said gearbox troubles made his client late and he had an "immature reaction by accelerating and hitting another car. Mr Pawelski is disqualified from driving for six months.